Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Iowa and the United States killing more than 4,500 Iowans and more than 400,000 Americans every year.[i],[ii]

20% of Iowa high school students and 7% of Iowa middle school students currently smoke cigarettes while 8% of high school students and 2% of middle school students currently use spit tobacco.[iii]

14% of adults in Iowa currently smoke while 3% currently use spit tobacco.[iv]
In addition to active tobacco use, more than 231,000 children in Iowa are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.ii Each year, between 370 and 660 adults, children and babies dies from other's smoking, either from exposure to secondhand smoke or from smoking during pregnancy.ii
Research has shown the most effective way to reduce tobacco use is a three-pronged approach:
1) Protect people from secondhand smoke by passing smokefree policies
2) Fully fund and implement a research-based tobacco control program to prevent kids from using tobacco products and to help those currently addicted to quit.
3) Regularly increase the price of tobacco products.
Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance is dedicated to reducing tobacco use in Iowa and the death and disease associated with it.